Brian Running
 
Advanced Member - IP
Posted at
1:22 pm on Mar. 20, 2012
Total Posts 251
 
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Downtown Waukesha Favorite Bartender?
Even though the people involved would probably do things differently given the benefit of hindsight, remember that the Clarke project was planned and begun before the market tanked, and the opening occurred just as the market really hit bottom. The projections that were made before the crash were ambitious, but they were do-able. Even after the crash, though, the city still received the benefit that a TIF is supposed to provide - a run-down eyesore was rehabilitated and put back on the tax rolls, the crime that had been taking place in the building was eradicated, and a part of the urban blight in downtown Waukesha was turned around. As you mention, Vicky, taxpayers haven't paid a dime. It's not just simple coincidence that after the Clarke project began, several other new businesses arrived downtown. The owners of the building have been paying their taxes, even though market forces out of their control have left them with a vacant first floor for too long.
The city can, and should, give the Clarke relief on their TIF terms. It still would not cost the taxpayers anything, but it would allow the owners to get a new operator in there and let the place begin to generate some revenue. The original TIF terms were premised on a market value of $5 million for the property. In today's market, it's not worth anything near that, just as all other properties in town are not worth what they were five years ago. That valuation should be brought in line with reality. If the city doesn't give some relief, then it should not be surprised if the owners eventually can't pay any taxes at all anymore, and it's hard to see how the city benefits from that.
Waukesha needed an ambitious project to start to turn things around downtown, and the Clarke was it. What the ambitious project didn't need was a market crash at the worst possible moment. It's easy now, with 20/20 hindsight, to criticize the developers and the city for taking the risk on the project, but at the time it was the right thing to do. Even now, things are better downtown than they would be if the Clarke had not been refurbished, and in the long run, it will still be good for the city. |  
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DirtyWater
Advanced Member - IP
Posted at
3:13 pm on Mar. 20, 2012
Total Posts 446
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Downtown Waukesha Favorite Bartender?
Brian, thanks for the clarification on how the rent is structured. I was shocked at this 19,000 number and I am glad to see that is just the typical downtown false rumor.
I still think that the Clarke TIF was a great idea and will defend my support of it to anyone who believes otherwise. | |
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Victoria 
Advanced Member - IP
Posted at
7:46 pm on Feb. 28, 2013
Total Posts 843
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Downtown Waukesha Favorite Bartender?
We ran into David tonight at North Star Bistro in Brookfield. He still makes the best old fashions in Waukesha County. North Star has a great risotto and many other specialties including their star dish "meat loaf".
David told us to say hello to all of his former customers and said he really would like to come back to downtown Waukesha.
Hello Clarke Hotel..David is available!! | |
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Downtown Waukesha Favorite Bartender?
